Processes for the production of powdered mines and products manufactured therewith

Abstract

A method for producing a powdered lead, wherein a. at least one coloring agent, at least one filler and at least one binder are mixed with a carrier liquid, b. leads are formed from the wet mass, c. the leads formed in step b) are passed through a chamber in which they are exposed to a powdered coating agent, and d. the powdered leads are passed into a drying device and dried there at a drying temperature in a range of 50 and 120 °C, wherein the coating agent is a wax and / or polymer that melts at a temperature of 50 to 120 °C.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the manufacture and use of powdered leads, particularly in the cosmetic field. Furthermore, the present invention relates to powdered leads that can be manufactured using the inventive method.

[0002] Pencils containing free-standing or inserted leads are widespread and well-known, particularly in the fields of writing instruments and cosmetics. Methods for manufacturing leads for such pencils have been known for a long time. Leads are typically made from a high proportion of fillers, pigments, and binders. The hardness of the lead depends on the specific ingredients used and the manufacturing process. Harder leads are advantageous because they are easier to work with, for example, when inserted into molds or inserted into holders. Sharpening is also simpler. However, harder leads release less color, which is considered a disadvantage in some writing instruments and in cosmetics. Often, for example in cosmetics, it is desirable for a lead to be soft enough to be easily applied and to create a pleasant sensation on the skin.However, soft leads have the disadvantage of being more difficult to work with, as they tend to break or crumble.

[0003] Powder-based eyeshadows are particularly well-suited for cosmetic applications. These are products made from powdered ingredients, essentially without matrix-forming fillers. Fillers, which fuse to form a matrix during processing, provide stability but can negatively affect the application properties. Therefore, powder-based eyeshadows are primarily used in cosmetics. They offer a very pleasant application, do not scratch, and deliver sufficient volume to create a vibrant color application.

[0004] However, powder pencil leads tend to crumble and break, and are also very difficult to sharpen. Generally, the more pleasant a powder pencil lead is to apply, the more difficult it is to work with; conversely, the easier it is to work with, the harder and more scratchy the application usually is.

[0005] Powdered pencil leads are typically manufactured by kneading a very high proportion of fillers and pigments with a mixture of water and binder. The moist mass is then extruded and subsequently dried, during which time the water evaporates.

[0006] To increase the strength of powder leads, it is known to dip them in a liquid stabilizing agent after shaping and allow them to harden. Liquid wax or a liquid wax solution is frequently used for this purpose. However, the process is complex. Furthermore, additional problems arise, as the leads must possess a certain degree of mechanical stability for dipping.

[0007] From EP 2 133 214, a process is known in which a mass for a colored lead is mixed with micro-wax particles, which then melt within the mass during drying and fill the pores created by the drying process. Although leads produced by this process have higher strength due to the wax mass, the leads do not release much wax onto the skin and, in particular, result in a "waxy" residue, i.e., an unpleasant sensation when applied to the skin.

[0008] Furthermore, it is known from EP 836 846 to dip leads in liquid wax, liquid fats, or fatty acids after shaping and drying in order to alter their application behavior. This dipping results in a wax absorption of approximately 15 to 25% of the total weight. A lead with such a high wax content does not have the advantages of a powder lead and does not provide a pleasant application.

[0009] It is also known to coat leads with a plastic casing through co-extrusion. However, this process is very complex and only yields satisfactory results with hard leads. Furthermore, co-extrusion requires very high temperatures, which are not suitable for all powder lead ingredients, especially those intended for cosmetic use.

[0010] The purpose of the invention was therefore to provide powder leads that are easy to apply, create a pleasant feeling during application, do not scratch during application, dispense enough mass in one application to achieve the desired shade and color depth, and which can also be processed easily using conventional methods without too much breakage.

[0011] Another disadvantage of well-known powder pencil leads that are very soft is that they practically need to be sharpened after every use, which some users find unpleasant or time-consuming. Furthermore, if the lead is too soft, a clean, even point is usually not achieved. However, a soft lead is very advantageous for the best possible application feel and the maximum amount of product applied. Because it breaks easily, the reject rate during manufacturing is very high. Although it is possible to increase the inherent stability of a powder pencil lead with additional protection, such as heat-shrink tubing, it is difficult to maintain the lead's stability to that extent. Applying heat-shrink tubing requires lifting the lead and encasing it in the tubing. Even during this process, breakage can result in rejects.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is therefore to stabilize a powder lead at least temporarily so that it can at least be transported and fed to a subsequent processing plant.

[0013] The aforementioned problems are solved according to the invention by dusting a powder lead with a powdered coating agent that melts at the drying temperature and forms a stabilizing coating upon cooling, thus giving the lead inherent stability. The coating agent added according to the invention thus gives the lead inherent stability without impairing its other properties.

[0014] Surprisingly, it was found that self-stabilization of powdered ink cartridges can be achieved without compromising desired properties such as pleasant application, minimal scratchiness, and sufficient dispensing. This is accomplished by producing a very thin coating and adjusting it to prevent deeper penetration into the pores. Furthermore, the inventive method allows for the production of stable powdered ink cartridges using a simple process. The method can be easily adapted to the desired formulation. The inventive method makes it possible to produce powdered ink cartridges of any desired thickness.

[0015] The inventive method makes it possible to produce even very soft powder leads, which are so soft that application is extremely pleasant and dispensing is very satisfactory, in such a way that they can be further processed into pencils essentially without breakage. This significantly simplifies the further processing of the powder leads and opens up new application possibilities for powder leads.

[0016] The inventive method for producing a powder mine comprises the following steps: a. at least one colorant, at least one filler and at least one binder are mixed with a carrier liquid, b. mines are formed from the wet mass, c. the mines formed in step b) are passed through a chamber in which they are exposed to a powdered coating agent, and d. the dusted mines are led into a drying device and dried there.

[0017] The components that form the mine are thus mixed and combined with a carrier liquid to create a paste. The resulting mass is formed into mines, which are then dusted with a coating agent. The dusted mines are dried at an elevated temperature, during which time the coating agent melts and spreads across the surface of the mine. After cooling, the hardened coating agent forms a crust that protects the mine from breaking and crumbling, allowing it to be easily processed further.

[0018] The inventive method ensures that the coating material is only very thin and essentially only present on the surface of the lead. Because the coating material is thin, it is removed during the pointing process at the tip of the lead and therefore cannot interfere with the application. Furthermore, due to its shallow penetration depth, the coating material does not alter the properties of the lead material.

[0019] A further advantage of the method according to the invention is that the type and quantity of the coating can be adjusted independently of the lead or its constituents. Since the coating rests on the lead, there is practically no compatibility problem, and the coating material can therefore be selected according to functional and aesthetic considerations. Because the penetration depth is shallow and the coating material is removed during sharpening, it essentially does not come into contact with the application surface, so it does not alter the properties of the applied lead material.

[0020] After the lead has been manufactured and dried, the lead produced according to the invention can therefore be easily processed further. Typically, the lead is provided with a tubular protective sheath, cut to the required length, and then the sheath is shrunk on by applying heat. The leads are then processed into pencils in the usual way, e.g., they are inserted into pencil blanks or mounted in turning devices.

[0021] First, the mine mixture is produced by blending the ingredients. This involves mixing the powdered and liquid components together. The order of addition is not critical. The powdered components can be premixed and then the liquid added, or all components can be brought into contact with each other simultaneously and then mixed, or individual components can be premixed separately in any order.

[0022] The lead mass contains at least one colorant, at least one filler, and at least one binder, and may contain other ingredients commonly used in powder leads, such as lubricants and preservatives, as well as other additives known to those skilled in the art. The solid ingredients used to manufacture the powder leads are all in powder form, i.e., they have a particle size in the range of 0.1 to 200 µm, e.g., 0.5 to 150 µm. The particle size varies depending on the type of ingredient; mixtures of particles of different sizes can be used. For example, pearls with a size of up to 200 µm may be included in the mixture as an effect agent. On the other hand, very finely ground fillers such as kaolin or silica with a very small particle size of up to 0.1 µm may be included in the lead mass.

[0023] The individual components can be ground separately to the required particle size, or they can be pre-mixed and then ground. In this way, a portion of the solid components can be ground individually or as a mixture to the desired particle size and then blended with other ingredients. In particular, larger particles, such as pearls, can be added last to the finely ground mixture.

[0024] The lead contains at least one filler. The filler forms the base of the lead and serves as a carrier for the colorant. The filler contributes to the lead's abrasive properties. It should facilitate smooth application and make the material lubricated. Suitable fillers include kaolin, talc, carbonates such as calcium or magnesium carbonate, silicon dioxides such as silica or aluminum oxides, boronitrides, synthetic fluorphlogopite, starches such as corn or rice starch, mica, zeolites, nylon or polyamide-based fillers, silicone-based fillers, cellulose, acrylate-based fillers such as polymethyl methacrylate, micropowders such as high-melting-point polyethylene waxes in powder form, and mixtures of two or more of these fillers.

[0025] The essential component of a powdered pencil lead is the coloring agent. The coloring agent can be an organic or inorganic dye. Coloring agents also include effect substances such as glittering or shiny powders or particles, or commercially available white, transparent, or colored spherical or pearl-shaped particles. For example, insoluble pigments and / or soluble organic dyes can be used for coloring. In this way, any desired shade can be produced. A lead according to the invention generally comprises at least one pigment or a mixture of pigments and / or one or more effect substances. The pigments and effect substances commonly used for powdered pencil leads can be used here in the usual quantities. Examples of pigments are inorganic oxides such as iron oxides, manganese violet, utramarine, and titanium dioxide.Organic dyes such as carmine, or cosmetically acceptable dyes soluble in water or solvents, can also be used. Layered silicates, such as mica, which can be coated or uncoated, are frequently used as effect substances.

[0026] To bind the fillers and pigments together, at least one binder is included. The binder can be water-soluble or solvent-soluble. Suitable binders include, for example, cellulose and cellulose derivatives, polyamides, polyacrylates, alginates, layered silicates, starch and starch derivatives, polysaccharides such as cyclodextrin, or sugar derivatives. Cellulose derivatives are frequently used as binders.

[0027] The lead may contain other auxiliary substances and additives. Examples of auxiliary substances include preservatives, lubricants that make application more comfortable, and substances used to adjust the lead's hardness. These include stearates, such as calcium or magnesium stearate, glycols, esters, polyethylenes, etc. Another example is preservatives.

[0028] The solid, powdered components of the lead are mixed with a carrier liquid to form a dough-like lead mass, which can then be shaped. The carrier liquid can be any liquid that is compatible with the ingredients, does not undergo undesirable reactions, can be removed at elevated temperatures, is not harmful to skin and mucous membranes, and is preferably environmentally friendly. Suitable solvents are those that are volatile at a suitable temperature, e.g., those that are volatile at temperatures in the range of 50 to 120°C, such as water, hydrocarbon compounds, cyclomethicone, etc. A preferred carrier liquid is water or an aqueous mixture.

[0029] The ingredients according to the invention are used in suitable quantities. The colorant content depends on the coloring strength of the pigments and dyes used and on the desired color depth. The proportion of colorants, based on the weight of all solid lead components, is typically in the range of 10 to 70 wt%, e.g., 15 to 55 wt%, preferably 23 to 48 wt%. The proportion of filler is typically in the range of 5 to 80 wt%, e.g., 20 to 70 wt%, preferably 24 to 65 wt%. All percentages given here refer to the weight of the finished lead, i.e., the lead after drying to constant weight.

[0030] To mix the solid components, the carrier liquid is used in an amount that results in a readily malleable mass, depending on the type and quantity of the other ingredients. The amount of carrier liquid itself is not critical, especially since it does not become, or only minimally, part of the finished mine. A suitable amount is sufficient to form a readily malleable mass but not so high that removal becomes difficult. A range of 5 to 80% by weight, based on the mine dough mass, has proven suitable.

[0031] Leads are then formed from the wet mass obtained after adding the carrier liquid in the usual manner. Lead forming and suitable devices for this purpose are known per se, and known devices can be used for the process according to the invention. Good results are obtained when using an extrusion device.

[0032] After forming, the mines are passed through a chamber where they are dusted with a powdered coating agent. The coating agent should be deposited as evenly as possible on the surface of the mines.

[0033] The coating material should melt during the drying phase and encapsulate the surface of the mine. Therefore, the coating material is a material that is solid at ambient temperature and melts at elevated temperatures in the range of 50 to 120 °C, e.g., 65 to 95 °C, preferably 68 to 88 °C, and solidifies upon cooling in the form of a film or crust. Examples of suitable materials include natural and synthetic waxes, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and waxy and / or thermoplastic polymers. Suitable materials include vegetable, animal, and synthetic waxes commonly used in cosmetics, such as carnauba wax, candelilla wax, beeswax, rice bran wax, hydrogenated castor oil, ozokerite, dammar, shellac, coumarine resins, and hydrogenated vegetable oils such as hydrogenated jojoba oil and rosinates.Other examples of coating materials include synthetic beeswax, microcrystalline wax, silicone wax, ceresin, stearyl dimethicone, ester waxes such as behenyl behenate and pentaerythrityl tetrabehenate, fatty alcohols, fatty acids such as performacol and performacid, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetals, polyglycols, polyethers, polyvinylpyrrolidones, and resins such as ketone resins and sucrose esters. Mixtures of these materials can also be used.

[0034] The coating material or mixture of coating materials is finely divided, i.e., it has a particle size in the range of 0.01 to 100 µm, e.g., 0.02 to 50 µm, preferably 10 to 40 µm. The particles should be as small as possible to ensure good adhesion to the damp lead. Although larger particles, e.g., flakes, could also be applied, this can lead to uneven coating and are therefore not recommended.

[0035] To apply the coating powder to the lead surface, the leads, after forming (i.e., while still moist), are passed through a chamber where the coating powder is applied. The coating powder is distributed within the chamber and "dusted" onto the passing leads; suitable devices for this purpose are known. The coating is applied in such a way that the leads are dusted at the desired locations, preferably so that the leads are coated all around and along their entire length, resulting in a continuous coating layer encasing the lead after the drying step.

[0036] The coating material can be provided in the chamber in the form of optionally charged dust, fog, or powder. As the mines pass through the chamber, the coating material may settle or accumulate on the surface.

[0037] Dusting allows for a low amount of coating material. Depending on the lead diameter and the desired coating thickness, the amount of coating material in the chamber, the lead speed through the chamber, and the turbulence of the powder, dust, or mist can be adjusted.

[0038] To achieve the desired effect, the coating material is added in a proportion of 0.5 to 15 wt.%, e.g. 0.5 to 10 wt.% or 1 to 10 wt.%, preferably 2 to 8 wt.%, particularly preferably 3 to 6 wt.% based on the weight of the mine.

[0039] To ensure good adhesion of the coating material to the surface, it can be briefly charged by corona discharge. In one embodiment, the coating material is applied using a corona gun. The layer thickness formed by the coating material can be influenced by the charge intensity and the flow rate of the powder.

[0040] After the mines have been dusted, they are placed in a drying device and dried there for a predetermined period and at a predetermined temperature. During the drying phase, the liquid added for the mixture evaporates. The drying period is set so that the liquid does not evaporate too quickly, as this could adversely affect the structure of the finished mine. The drying time depends on the drying temperature, the thickness and composition of the mines, and the type of carrier liquid. Thicker mines take longer to dry than thin ones, and solvents with a lower boiling point than water evaporate more quickly. Gentle drying is generally preferred. Mines are typically dried for a period of 8 to 24 hours. Drying for less than 8 hours is either insufficient or too rapid. In both cases, an unsatisfactory result is not achieved.A drying time exceeding 24 hours has no further effect on the final product and therefore only generates unnecessary costs. Excellent results were achieved with a drying time of 10 to 18 hours, particularly 12 to 16 hours.

[0041] Drying devices for drying mines are well known and these known devices can be used in the usual way for drying the mines dusted according to the invention.

[0042] The drying temperature depends on the thickness and composition of the lead and the melting point of the coating material. During the drying process, the powder texture develops from the components of the powdered lead under the influence of the drying temperature. Depending on the fillers and binders used, the drying temperature can range from 50 to 120 °C; the coating material should then be adjusted accordingly. A skilled professional can determine the optimal combination of lead components, coating material, and drying parameters with a few routine tests. Typically, the leads are dried at least until the desired degree of hardness is reached or a moisture / solvent content of less than 0.6% is achieved.

[0043] During drying, the dusted coating melts and spreads across the surface of the lead, stabilizing it without affecting any other properties. While not bound to any specific theory, it is assumed that the dusted particles, which are each very small, are always present in very small quantities at a specific point on the surface and are melted directly there, preventing the molten coating from penetrating deeper into the lead. Only the pores directly on the surface are filled by the molten coating, which in turn contributes to the adhesion of the coating layer to the lead core. In this way, diffusion of the coating into the lead core is prevented, the feel of the finished lead is not affected by the stabilizing coating, and the coating layer on the outer surface is removed by the points during use.

[0044] The leads obtained after drying are so stable that they can be further processed for all possible uses, especially for all purposes usually intended for leads, such as in pencils or applicators. Such leads can be inserted into blank cartridges or used in applicators. They can also be subjected to other processing steps customary for leads. In particular, the leads are cut to the desired length in a manner known per se.

[0045] In one embodiment, the leads are further stabilized by using a so-called shrink sleeve, i.e., by covering the lead with a thin polymer shell and then shrinking it so that the polymer shell fits tightly around the lead. Such a polymer-shell-protected lead can be processed as a freestanding lead or used in other application devices. This additional stabilization is particularly well-suited for very thin leads or very soft lead compounds.

[0046] A further object of the invention is therefore a stabilized powder lead consisting of a lead core and a coating made of a stabilizing coating agent, wherein the lead core contains at least one coloring agent, at least one filler and at least one binder, wherein the coating agent consists of a wax, wax-like substance or polymer meltable at a temperature between 50 and 120°C, and wherein the proportion of the coating agent in the finished lead is less than 15 wt.%, preferably less than 10 wt.% and the penetration depth of the coating agent into the core is less than 0.02 µm.

[0047] Such a lead can be produced using the method described above. Due to its composition, this powder lead possesses a stability that cannot be achieved with prior art leads, at least not without impairing the application properties or resulting in high product rejects. The powder lead according to the invention is characterized by a thin stabilizing crust that adheres only to the outer surface of the lead, but is not present, or substantially not present, in the core of the lead. Viewing a cross-section of the lead perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the coating of the coating material is visible only at the outer edge, but not further inwards.

[0048] A powder mine according to the invention is characterized in that the thickness of the coating is very small, e.g. in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 mm, such as 0.07 to 0.15 mm, and that the penetration depth can be adjusted so that the penetration depth of the coating material into the core is no more than 0.05 µm for 95% of the coating material.

[0049] Mines coated with wax using state-of-the-art methods, for example, contain well over 10% wax by weight, based on the mass of the finished mine.

[0050] Another aspect of the invention is an application device containing a lead manufactured according to the invention. Application devices, particularly for cosmetic purposes, are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, cosmetic pencils such as eyebrow pencils, eyeliner pencils, lip liner pencils, and kohl pencils are known, consisting of a sleeve and a lead inserted therein. The sleeve can be made of wood, wood substitute, polymer, or other materials commonly used in cosmetics.

[0051] According to the invention, a powder lead and a method for its production are provided, which makes it possible to use powder leads for cosmetic and other purposes with application properties that were previously unattainable. This makes powder leads accessible for uses for which they were previously unsuitable.

[0052] The invention is explained by the following examples. Example 1

[0053] A mixture for a powder pencil lead was produced. A dry phase consisting of silica, kaolin, mica and / or mica-like components, polymethyl methacrylate, pigments, and pearls was kneaded with a binder phase containing magnesium aluminum silicate, algin, sorbitan laurate, and preservatives, along with water, to form a moist mass. This moist mass was fed into an extrusion apparatus, and leads were extruded from the apparatus by pressure through the cylinder. Core length: 627 mm Cutting interval: 2 s per 627 mm, or 313.5 mm / s

[0054] The leads extruded from the extrusion device were then fed into a chamber containing a continuous flow of finely divided hydrogenated castor oil with a melting point of 85-88°C, ensuring the lead was uniformly coated. The coating thickness was adjusted by the amount of coating material in the chamber, the circulation speed, and the movement speed of the leads. A corona spray gun, similar to those used for applying automotive paint, was used for coating. The charge intensity and flow rate were adjusted to achieve the desired coating thickness.

[0055] After leaving the chamber, the dusted mines were dried in a drying oven at a temperature of 90°C for at least 8 hours until a constant weight was achieved.

[0056] The dried mines were then cut to the desired length and subsequently fitted with heat shrink tubing.

[0057] In a comparative test, mines produced with the same composition and process, but without the addition of the coating material, could not be fitted with heat-shrink tubing because the mines crumbled. There were also problems with cutting them to length.

[0058] The finished leads were then inserted into wooden casings and glued in place. After decorating and sharpening, finished pencils were obtained that applied very well to the skin, provided a vibrant color application, and the application was perceived as very pleasant. Example 2

[0059] Mine masses were produced from the ingredients listed in Table 1 below. Table 1 RAW MATERIAL NAMES [INCI] WEIGHTS pigments 71,650 Water 30,001 Filler, e.g. synthetic fluorphlogopite, kaolin 20,410 Humectant, e.g. pentylene glycol 17,970 Silica 10,480 Optical modifier, e.g., polymethyl methacrylate beads 10,470 plasticizers, e.g. caprylyl glycol; dipropylene glycol; Glyceryl Caprylate 1,899 Preservatives, e.g., dehydroacetic acid 0,800 Emulsifier, e.g., sorbitan laurate 0,610 Thickening agents, e.g. Mg-Al silicate, algin 0,500 pH modifier, e.g. citric acid 0,420 Flavoring agents, e.g., triethyl citrate 0,407 TOTAL QUANTITY 165,617

[0060] Mines with a diameter ranging from 3.77 mm to 4.08 mm were extruded from the mine mass, with a pre-pressure of 55 to 65 bar. The speed of the extruded mine strand was approximately 310 mm / s. -1 The coating material was electrostatically charged with a voltage of 45 kV and a current of 4.5 µA. Upon contact, the electrostatically charged coating material adhered to the mine strand. Non-adherent coating material was vacuumed off in the chamber. After exiting the chamber, the coated mine strand was cut to length, yielding mine segments each 627 mm long. The mine segments were placed on a sheet and dried in a drying oven for 16 hours at 90°C. After drying, the mines had a diameter ranging from 3.85 to 3.95 mm.

[0061] As described in Example 1, the leads were inserted into blank casings and glued. A line was then drawn on the skin of a test subject using the resulting pencils. The application was perceived as very pleasant. The line was intensely colored. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2133214

[0007] EP 836846

[0008]

Claims

[1] Method for producing a powder mine, wherein a. at least one colorant, at least one filler and at least one binder are mixed with a carrier liquid, b. mines are formed from the wet mass, c. the mines formed in step b) are passed through a chamber in which they are exposed to a powdered coating agent, and d. the dusted mines are led into a drying device and dried there. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the dye comprises at least one pigment in powder form. [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coating material is a wax and / or polymer that melts at a temperature of 50 to 120°C. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the coating material is added in a proportion of 0.5 to 10 wt.% based on the weight of the mine. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the formation of the mines takes place in an extrusion device. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mines are dusted with the coating agent using a corona gun. [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the dusted mines are dried over a period of 8 to 24 hours at a temperature of 50 to 120°C. [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that after drying the mines are covered with a heat shrink tube. [9] Powder mines obtainable by a method according to any of the preceding claims. [10] Stabilized powder lead consisting of a lead core and a coating made of a stabilizing coating material, wherein the lead core contains at least one colorant, at least one filler and at least one binder, wherein the coating material consists of a wax, wax-like substance or polymer meltable at a temperature between 50 and 120°C, and wherein the proportion of the coating material in the finished lead is less than 10 wt.% and the penetration depth of the coating material into the core is less than 0.02 µm. [11] Stabilised powder lead according to claim 10, wherein the coating has a thickness in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 mm and / or wherein the penetration depth of the coating material into the core is not more than 0.05 µm for 95% of the coating material. [12] Powder mine according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the mine is covered with heat shrink tubing. [13] Powder mine according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized bythat it is a free-standing mine. [14] Use of a powder lead according to one of claims 9 or 13 for the manufacture of a cosmetic stick. [15] Use according to claim 14, characterized by that the lead is inserted into a rotary device as a free-standing lead, or is inserted into a blank as a pencil lead.